Inquisitive

Thanks to you both for such informative answers.  The reason I am being asked to help is that the person with the original idea, has absolutely no idea of how to go about marketing it, and I would like to help them. They are creative, and not commercial in the slightest, and it was I who wanted to protect them.  It is a potentially lucrative product (I think).  It may be that copyright is more applicable than a patent - I need to do much more research, but you have both been more than helpful. 

Hi  Someone has approached me to help them market a new product.  I need to find out initially how they should go about protecting their concept, before going any further.  Has anyone had any experience of this in France, and where do I start?

I started with the Chambre de Commerce as a 'Télétravailleur', following phonecalls on my behalf by our local maire. Having established that I wanted to perform secretarial services with a slight accountancy aspect, they then sent me to URSSAF to register as a profession libérale.  When I got there the man from URSSF spoke at length with the woman from Chambre de Commerce, and they decided between them that the most suitable title would be Secretariat à domicile, which comes under the Chambre de Metier.  I have now seen two people at the C de M, and am about to register.  The role is to encompass all things 'bureaucratique' so should go down well in France!!! Much thanks Will for the info re turnover, it's a great relief to think that I can at least start as a micro-entreprise, and then if the one larger contract comes to an end during next year, I can probably stay at that level, unless I am very lucky and find another well paying client or two.

Hi,  I am hoping someone may be able to help with this query.  I am in the process of setting up a 'secretariat à domicile' through the Chambre de Metiers.  I have one large client initially, although I don't know how long the contract will last.  The earnings from this one client would amount to more than the €27,000 limit if the contract lasted for more than a year.  If I register from 1st May, do I get the whole €27,000 for this calendar year, or is the upper earnings limit worked on a pro rata basis, in this case eight twelves of the amount. As I doubt this initial contract will last right through until Dec 2007, it would be great if I could use the Micro-entreprise regime. I have trawled though various internet sites, but am having trouble finding the right answer to this. Many thanks in advance, Claire

Hi Joh Very good idea (how nice to get positive feedback) - and worth pursuing - for some reason I still think they operate a different accounting system, which is really what I'm after finding out about.  It wasn't actually a form of competition that I was suggesting, merely doing the donkey work (sorting the shoeboxes of reciepts, etc) and preparing basic accounts to then be processed by bonafide french accountants for tax returns. If anyone does know more about the french system I would be really grateful to hear from them.   Claire

Just wondered if anyone had any recommendations for any literature regarding the french book keeping system - have worked as an accountant in England for years and am interested in learning the french system so as to possibly offer this as a service, prior to the accounts being finalised by a proper french accountant. Would this be practical? Many thanks   Claire

Thanks everso

Just wondering if anyone can recommend a good accountant in the Lot /Dordogne depts. Many thanks Claire

Does anyone know if it is possible to buy Christmas Crackers anywhere in France - we are hosting a traditional English Christmas dinner for about 60 people? Would be more than happy to buy them over the internet, if we could get them delivered here. Many thanks  Claire  

 HiI am hoping someone may be able to help me - I am looking for a property to rent from now(ish) until March.  I work from England, and spend one week a month back here. I need access to ADSL internet, and preferably somewhere with central heating! Any suggestions welcomed. Many thanks Claire

Hi I am hoping someone may be able to help me - I am looking for a property to rent from now(ish) until March.  I work from England, and spend one week a month back here. I need access to ADSL internet, and preferably somewhere with central heating! Any suggestions welcomed. Many thanks Claire

Well I did it - I went to Coup a Boit in Sarlat.  I didn't end up with Robin as you suggested Céline, but with the girl who works with / for him (Regine?).  I'm really pleased with the result and would recommend them to any one.  I did have to conduct the whole episode in French though, so it may not be quite as suitable for someone with limited French. Many thanks Céline for your recommendation.  Claire

Thanks for all your advice, and for the offer Catharine.  I think I really need to find a permanent hairdresser in France, who I can get to know over time, so will try the two in Salviac first. Why can't I be happy to have grey long hair?!!

I think this is very probably on a par with Madrid - there must be many fatalities as anyone who has travelled in London during a rush hour would realise.  The fact that no figures are being given out would imply that the situation is muddled, but I fear that the numbers will rise.  Best wishes to everyone here on the forum, I hope that no one here will be personally affected by this cowardly act.

Hi Just wondering if someone could recommend a really good hairdresser in the Cazals / Gourdon (Dept 46) region. Sorry for such a 'girly' question! Many thanks   Claire

I found out about this from this site, and have looked at the internet site.  It all sounds a little too good to be true.  Has anyone actually used it and is it as straightforward as it seems?  I will be on ADSL, are there any potential problems that I should know about? Any comments gratefully received. Many thanks Claire

My husband moved out to Dept 46 in January this year (far too early in the year I know) and I am due to join him in the next month or so.  Just wondering if someone can offer some perspective, as he is already extremely disappointed with the weather.  Was the winter longer than normal - as it definitely has been in England? Have the temperatures since then been pretty average, or cooler than normal? He has also just experienced his first really heavy storm which cut our power for over 18 hours.  He is being told that this happens really quite often. Obviously we haven't just made our decisions based on the potential weather, but if he is feeling so disappointed after such a short period of time, I'm just starting to feel slightly nervous that although I may love it, he will wish we'd gone somewhere different. Any comments from those who have been in our area for quite a while would be appreciated.

Dear Bob Viking.fr was just what I was looking for - thanks so much Claire

I need to buy some basic office furniture with delivery to our house in Dept 46.  As I am still in England at the moment, it would be easier if I could sort this over the internet. Have any of you tried to do this and do you have any recommendations?  (I have found one company - Ipsopresto - but have no idea of the quality of what I would be buying).  I am looking for inexpensive but as durable as possible. Thanks again for all the advice  Claire

Thanks for the link Jo, it has certainly made me more cautious.  Has anyone found another way of working from home (in France) for a british employer?  I am negotiating 3 days a week working chez nous, and one week a month back in England.  I don't want to work on the black, but it would seem that a portage co is not necessarily a brilliant solution, as a lot of what they offer wouldn't be applicable in my case.  The consultancy fees would be quaranteed, and I wouldn't be looking for any state benefit if the work came to an end, also it seems that I wouldn't necessarily be able to claim any operating expenses against my income.  I don't need marketing services or venues in which to meet clients. All I want to do is pay my cotisations and tax legally.  The field of work is accounting services, and I will be based in Dept 46.  Any advice would be really welcome, or if anyone knows of the relevant trade body in my area, perhaps I should speak to them. Many thanks  Claire

Hi Teamed Up Just wondered whereabouts you are - and if we should expect a visit? Claire (Dept 46)

Hi Does anyone know of a saxaphone teacher in west dept 46 or south east 24? Many thanks   Claire

HI Would be really grateful for any recommendations of a portage company.  I am presently negotiating working freelance in France for my current Uk employer (fingers crossed).  I only need the financial end of things looked after, not the myriad of other services offered by some portage companies. What should I be looking for. Many thanks   Claire

Thank you for all your help, I will look out for the booklet, but www.vide-greniers.org gives exactly the information I was looking for. I see it's been put into the useful links section as well which is a good idea, as its bound to be useful to many others as well. Claire

Hi Does anyone know if there are any brocantes in Dept 46 next weekend - was at the one held at Cazals Easter Monday, and am hoping to find something similar this Bank Holiday. Many thanks  Claire